"Forcing Integration Without Any Preparation"
"Mayor Hong's Power Play... Strong Opposition"
The Daegu branch of the Democratic Party has defined the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk, proposed by Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo, as "Hong's presidential ambition play" and has stated its opposition.
In a statement released on the 23rd, the Daegu branch of the Democratic Party said, "These days, Mayor Hong's Facebook is in chaos. We must admit that he is naturally talented at this kind of thing. However, there is a difference between his commentary and the sudden push for the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk. The Daegu Democratic Party would like to raise a few points regarding this abrupt integration proposal," the statement began.
The statement continued, "First, there is no basis for why integration is necessary. There is no research data, no public discussion, and not even government officials are aware of this military-style declaration of integration. Second, there is no explanation as to why it should be done. Mayor Hong's administration is always like this?no explanation. From the perspective of the Daegu Democratic Party, once this issue is over, there will be no further comment."
The Daegu branch of the Democratic Party went on to say, "Ultimately, the reorganization of the administrative system should be discussed in the National Assembly. The two mayors cannot make it happen just because the Yoon Sukyeol administration supports it. Speaking as if legal amendments are already settled is nothing more than his characteristic bluff. The administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk is a serious issue. There needs to be in-depth research into the devastation of northern Gyeongbuk. If integration happens, the northern region of Gyeongbuk will likely become a wasteland. The concentration of population in Daegu is also a problem. Looking at the situation in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province in the 1960s and 1970s makes this clear."
The Daegu branch of the Democratic Party also stated, "Currently, all convenience facilities in Daegu and Gyeongbuk are located in Daegu. The concentration in Daegu is inevitable. Once the new airport and Dalbit Railway are completed, this concentration will accelerate even more. Daegu's current per capita population density is already among the top in South Korea. In Daegu, residential and commercial areas are adjacent, and the resulting noise and sanitation issues are ongoing."
The Daegu branch further criticized, "Due to rapid urban expansion, areas that used to be industrial complexes on the outskirts are now within Daegu's residential zones. The Seogu Dyeing Complex is a representative example. Furthermore, with the concentration of high schools and the implementation of regional special admissions due to the increase in medical school quotas, concentration in Daegu for educational reasons will be unavoidable. Leaving all these problems aside, integration cannot proceed just because the mayor and the governor say 'okay.'"
The Daegu branch of the Democratic Party particularly pointed out, "Mayor Hong's words are contradictory. Just a few months ago, he was consistently advocating for local autonomy, but now he is proposing to reintroduce the direct control city system of 1981 in 2024, effectively subordinating Daegu to the central government. This is utterly nonsensical. At this point, we need to examine his state of mind. The Daegu Democratic Party opposes this military-style administrative integration, which lacks any research or public discussion from the Daegu and Gyeongbuk Policy Research Institute. This is nothing more and nothing less than Hong's presidential ambition play."
The Daegu branch of the Democratic Party also said, "We called Mayor Hong 'mokhuigwan.' This means 'a monkey wearing a crown,' implying that while the attire may look impressive, his thoughts and actions are not befitting of a human being," criticizing the mayor's conduct.
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